Finding aid for the Morrie Turner Papers
Angela Noble
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email:aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
#x00A9; 2013
African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Finding aid for the Morrie Turner Papers
MS 24
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Angela Noble
- Date Completed:
- 04/09/2013
- Encoded by:
- Angela Noble
#x00A9; 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Morrie Turner papers
Dates: 1924-2014
Bulk Dates: 1965-2014
Collection number: MS 24
Creator:
Turner, Morrie
Collection Size:
6 linear feet
(4 boxes + 2 oversized)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: Morrie Turner, the first nationally syndicated African American cartoonist, was born on December 11, 1923 in Oakland, California.
In the 1960’s Turner created “Wee Pals” a comic strip about an ethnically diverse group of friends.The “Wee Pals” originally
appeared in only 5 newspapers but that eventually grew to over 100. In 1972 ABC produced 17 episodes of the “Wee Pals” as
an animated series for their Saturday morning lineup.
Physical location: African American Museum and Library at Oakland
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Morrie Turner Papers, MS 24, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Biography / Administrative History
Morrie Turner, the first nationally syndicated African American cartoonist, was born on December 11, 1923 in Oakland, California.
Turner attended Oakland public schools including Cole Elementary and McClymonds High School before transferring to Berkeley
High in his senior year. After graduation he joined the Air Force, where he had his first opportunity to draw a comic strip
called “Rail Head” for Stars and Stripes magazine. After leaving the military he returned to Berkeley and married his sweetheart
Letha. The couple have lived and raised their family in Berkeley ever since.
Turner’s first civilian comic strip “Dinky Fellas” was modeled after his mentor Charles “Sparky” Schultz. In the 1960’s Turner
created “Wee Pals” a comic strip about an ethnically diverse group of friends. The comic strip made Turner the first African
American cartoonist to be nationally syndicated. Turner and the “Wee Pals” gave back to the community by working with organizations
including: the USO, The Boys Club of Oakland, and the White House Conference on Children. The “Wee Pals” originally appeared
in only 5 newspapers but that eventually grew to over 100. In 1972 ABC produced 17 episodes of the “Wee Pals” as an animated
series for their Saturday morning lineup.
In addition to his love of drawing Turner has been committed to raising awareness of African American history. In 1965 Turner
became one of the founding members of the East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS).
Scope and Content of Collection
Morrie Turner Papers consist of five boxes, original drawings and comic strips of the Wee Pals as well as copies of those
clipped from the newspaper. Also included are coloring books by Turner, family photos, professional correspondence and contracts
as well as an oral history interview with Turner and original hand puppets based upon the Wee Pals.
The collection has been arranged into five series: Comic strips, publications, correspondence, biographical material, photographs
and artifacts.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into series and chronologically within the series.
Series I. Comic Strips 1964-1995
Original Strips, 1965-1995
News Clippings, 1964-1993
Art Originals, 1985, 1989, and undated
“Wee Pals” published compilation books
Series II. Publications, 1969-2007
Series III. Correspondence, 1965-2005
Series IV. Biographical material, 1924-2014
Turner family photographs, 1924-1991
Series V. Artifacts, Undated
Miscellaneous, 1968-2011
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Turner, Morrie
Multiculturalism -- Caricatures and cartoons
Cartoonists—African-American
Oakland (Calif.)--History--20th century
Oakland (Calif.)--Culture
Ericsson, M. K. (1986). Morrie Turner Creator of "Wee Pals". Canada and United States: Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises,
Inc.
Turner, M. (2002, April 2). Oral History Interview with Morrie Turner. (N. Thompson, Interviewer)
Other Finding Aids
Jesse W. and Marcella Ford Papers, African American Museum & Library at Oakland; Eugene and Ruth Lasartemay Papers, African
American Museum & Library at Oakland; Morrie Turner Collection, Syracuse University Library http://library.syr.edu/digital/guides/t/turner_m.htm
Comic Strips
1964-1995
Physical Description: 59 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes original comic strip drawings, published Wee Pals comic strips clipped from newspapers, Wee Pals books, and other
original Morrie Turner drawings.
Arrangement
Items are arranged chronologically.
Original Strips
1965-1995
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
Includes original strips drawn by Turner including production notes.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box OM14:1
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1965 and undated
Box OM14:2
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1966
Box OM14:3
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1967
Box OM14:4
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1968
Box OM14:5
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1969
Box OM14:6
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1970
Box OM14:7
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1971
Box OM14:8
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1972
Box OM14:9
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1973
Box OM14:10
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1974
Box OM14:11
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1975 and undated
Box OM14:12
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1976
Box OM14:13
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1977
Box OM14:14
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1978
Box OM14:15
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1979
Box OM14:15
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1980
Box OM14:17
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1981
Box OM14:18
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1982
Box OM14:19
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1983
Box OM14:20
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1984
Box OM14:21
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1985
Box OM14:22
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1986
Box OM14:23
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1987
Box OM14:24
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1988
Box OM14:25
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1989
Box OM14:26
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1990
Box OM14:27
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1991 May-Aug.
Box OM14:28
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1991 Sept.-Dec.
Box OM14:29
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1992 Jan.-June
Box OM14:30
Wee Pals daily comic strip originals
1992 July-Sept.
Box OM15:1
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1989
Box OM15:2
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1990
Box OM15:3
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1991 June-December
Box OM15:4
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1992 January - June
Box OM15:5
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1992 January - June
Box OM15:6
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1992 July - December
Box OM15:7
Wee Pals Sunday originals
1992 July - December
Box OM15:8
Wee Pals mock up color strips
1992, 1996
News Clippings
1964-1993
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
Includes newspaper clippings of the Wee Pals comic strips.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 2:1
Wee Pals Sunday scrapbook
1976-1985
Box 2:2
Wee Pals Sunday scrapbook
1978-1984
Box 2:8
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1970
Box 2:9
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1971
Box 2:10
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1972
Box 2:11
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1974
Box 2:12
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1975
Box 2:13
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1976, 1977
Box 2:14
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1979
Box 2:15
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1980
Box 2:16
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1983, 1984, 1985
Box 2:17
Wee Pals Sunday clippings
1989, 1992, 1993
Box OM15:9
African American Chronicle, student newspaper
1991 January - 1992 March
Box OM15:10
Eastbay Negro Historical Society clipping poster
1968
Box OM15:11
Eastbay Negro Historical Society clipping poster
1981
Box 2:50
Morrie Turner press clippings
1964-1969
Box 2:51
Morrie turner press clippings
1970-1979
Box 2:52
Morrie Turner press clippings
1980-2002
Box 3:1
St. Louis Library newsletter i-94-454
1992 September
Art originals
1985, 1989, and undated
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
Includes original drawings by Turner that were not published in books or newspapers.
Box 2:6
Animation cells
circa 1985
Box 2:7
Thank you drawing
undated
Box 2:31
Wee pals with police
undated
Box OM15:1
Wee Pals Soul Corner originals
1989
Box 3:8
Puffy the Train original art nine drawings
circa 1970s
Box 3:8
Wee Pals original drawing
undated
Box 3:8
Wee Pals framed original with Ruth Acty
Undated
Box 3:7-8
Wee Pals sketches, Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California
circa 1980s
Publications
1969-2007
Physical Description: 25 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes Morrie Turner publication projects beyond the "Wee Pals" comic strip. Projects such as the St. Patrick Day Parade,
coloring books, calendars and posters by Turner.
Arrangement
Series is arranged by format and chronologically within the folder.
Box 2:36
‘Wee Pals Salutes African-Americans in the military”
2000
Box 3:2
The Rubber soled kid comic book
1976
Box 2:18
Wee Pals "Black and White" coloring book
1969
Box 2:19
"Wee Pals Make Friends with Music" coloring book
1982
Box 1:1
“Go BART-ing” coloring book
1984
Box 2:23
Wee Pals Black History Trivia Quiz and Game book
1986
Box 2:24
“People Living Together” coloring book
1987
Box 2:25
It's Okay to Say No! to Strangers
1988
Box 2:25
Wee-Pals meet Officer Packy Bell and other pals
1989
Box 2:25
Getting in touch with me
1991
Box 2:26
Wee Pals "Latch Key Kids" coloring book
circa 1990
Box 2:27
Morrie Turner – Wee Pals – “Learn to Say No”
circa 1991
Box 2:28
“Doing the Right Thing” coloring book
1991
Box 2:29
AIDS: Color me deadly coloring book
1987
Box 2:42
AIDS: Color me deadly coloring book correspondence and research
1989
Box 2:30
“Oakland: the accessible city” coloring book
1985
Box 2:33
“AIDS and the Black Community, one on one” coloring book
1989
Box 2:34
Brochures and pamphlets
1962-2004 and undated
Box 2:44
African American Museum & Library at Oakland calendar
2007
Box 3:7
African American history calendar
1997
Box 2:3
Wee Pals Eastbay Negro Historical Society anniversary drawing
1983
Box 2:4
Woman history jumbles and Soul circle
undated
Box 2:21
St. Patrick’s Day Unity Parade program featuring Wee Pals
1984
Box 2:22
St. Patrick’s Day parade- Wee Pals- Morrie Turner grand marshal
1985
Box 2:32
Dellums portrait Project – solicitation, stationary and comic strip
1997
Box 2:45
Wee Pals stationary
undated
Box OM:8
Ethnic images poster
1986
Correspondence
1965-2005
1965-1991
Physical Description: 5 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes correspondence and contracts from Turner's agent, Toni Mendez Agency, as well as letters from fans and other general
correspondence.
Arrangement
Each folder is arranged chronologically.
Box 2:40
Toni Mendez Agency correspondence. I-94.956
1971-1991
Box 2:41
Toni Mendez Agency contracts
circa 1971-1992
Box 2:46
New American Library (NAL), correspondence and contract
1965-1979
Box 2:47
Turner fan letters
1962-2005
Box 2:48
General correspondence
1968-1992
Biographical material
1937-2014
1940-2014
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This series includes report cards and programs from elementary school productions, biographical information, a VHS copy of
the documentary “Keeping the Faith with Morrie”, an oral interview with Morrie Turner and the Turner Family history printed
for the family reunion.
Arrangement
Items are arranged chronologically.
Box 2:37
School assembly program – Cole school
1937
Box 2:38
High school report cards
1941
Box 2:39
Berkeley High School hall of fame
1990, 1991
Box 2:43
Morrie Turner 80th birthday tribute, program
2003 December
Box 2:53
AAMLO and Morrie Turner
2002
Box 2:54
Biographical information
2003
Box 2:55
Interview with Morrie Turner by Nancy Thompson [2 CDS and transcript]
2002 April
Box 2:56
Turner family history
2003, 2010
Box ART1
VHS tape of documentary “Keeping the Faith with Morrie”
2001
Box 2:53
Funeral service program
2014
Turner family photographs
1924-1991
1942-1978
Physical Description: 21 folders
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
Includes Turner family photographs and photographs related to his work as a cartoonist.
Arrangement
Arranged by photograph identification number.
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner in military uniform [001]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner and three soldier in military jeep [002]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner inscribed, "To Pickle from yours" [003]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner [004]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Cole Elementary School music class photograph [005/009]
1934
Box 3:4
Cole Elementary School music class photograph [005/009]
1934
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner, one year old, sitting in rocking chair [006]
circa 1924
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner and soldier in military uniform [007]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Turner family standing in front of house, pictured (left-right): Morris Turner, Joseph Turner, Marion Turner, Edward Turner
[007]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner and three men standing in front of house [010]
circa 1940's
Box 3:4
Publisher Dr. William H. Lee speaking at podium [011]
circa 1980s
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner and mom standing in front yard of Aunt Sarah Williams [012]
1966
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner, Joe, Mother, Buster and Ed standing in front yard [013]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Three boys sitting on front steps [014]
circa 1920s
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner [015]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Portrait of Morrie Turner [016]
circa 1940s
Box 3:4
Morrie Turner graduation portrait in cap and gown, inscribed: 'To Leroy T. Knox from Morrie Murphy Turner' [017]
circa 1941
Box 3:4
Publicity headshot of Alice Scott, Channel 3 [018]
circa 1980s
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner and children holding 'Good neighbors come in all colors' posters [019]
circa 1980's
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner in drawing room with unidentified man [020]
circa 1970s
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner and Charles Schulz standing in front of house [021]
circa 1960s
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner drawing cartoon at desk smoking a cigarette [022]
circa 1970's
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner drawing cartoon at desk [023]
circa 1970's
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner drawing Wee Pals cartoon at desk [024A]
1991
Box 3:5
Charles Schulz and unidentified man standing next to cartoon [024B]
circa 1970s
Box 3:5
Headshot of Morrie Turner [025]
1970
Box 3:5
Two men and woman sitting at dining table [026]
circa 1970s
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner and unidentified man standing smoking cigarettes [027]
circa 1970s
Box 3:5
Morrie Turner hugging two children sitting on couch [028]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Colorized portrait of Morrie Turner [029]
circa 1940s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner talking to classroom of students [030]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner appearing on Sunday television program [031]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner and girl looking at Mexican statues [032]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner surrounded by group of children at Wee Pals concert [033]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner surrounded by group of children at Wee Pals concert [033]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Exterior of Paramount theater, Wee Pals Oakland concert on sign [034]
circa 1970s
Box 3:6
Morrie Turner drawing cartoon [035]
1978
Artifacts
undated
Physical Description: 2 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes "Wee Pals" artifacts, lunchbox, jewelry, desktop bobble, and 13 Wee Pals hand puppets
Arrangement
Artifacts are not arranged.
Box 1
Wee Pals hand puppets [13]
undated
Box ART1
Wee Pals lunchbox
undated
Box ART1
Wee Pals pins and rings [22]
undated
Box ART1
Wee Pals desktop bobble
undated
Box 3:3
Miscellaneous
1968-2011 and undated
